The Buddha taming the enraged elephant Nalagiri

The Buddha’s evil cousin sent an enraged elephant to attack him. The Buddha held his ground and is said to have suffused the elephant with loving-kindness of mind. The elephant knelt in submission. This story can be understood as symbolizing our need to subdue our uncontrolled and violent animal instincts.

Here the Buddha is accompanied by a fellow monk carrying a staff and a bowl for accepting donations of food. From the Buddha’s right hand radiate lions, representing the power of the Buddha’s compassion.